Key-striking lever for piano-players.



No. 808,484. PATENTED DEC. 26, 1905. P. P. SMITH.

KEY STRIKING LEVER FOR PIANO PLAYERS.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 1, 1903 lg Mada e4 UNITED sTA Es PATENT OFFICE.

FRANK P. SMITH, OF BALTIMORE, MARYLAND, ASSIGNOR TO SMITH LYRAPHONE COMPANY, OF BALTIMORE, MARYLAND, A CORPO- RATION OF WEST VIRGINIA.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 26, 1905.

Application filed June 1, 1903. Serial No. 159,573-

.7 ail whom, it may concern.-

Be it known that I, FRANK P. SMITH, a citizen of the United States, residing at Baltimore, in the State of Maryland, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Key-Striking Levers for Piano-Players, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in key-striking levers for piano-players.

The object of the invention is to provide a forked key-striking lever the lower prong of which is flexible and means for adjusting the said flexible prong with relation to the keys of the piano to be played in order to provide for any unevenness in the said piano-keys.

Other features of the invention will be fully set forth in the description of the accompanying drawings, in which' Figure 1 is a side elevation of a piano and pianoplayer,showing the key-striking levers resting upon the keys of the piano. Fig. 2 is a side elevation ofone of the key-striking levers, showing the flexible prong in its normal position. Fig. 3 is a rear end view of Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a side elevation of one of the keystriking levers, showing the flexible prong forced down by the adjusting-screw. Fig. 5

is a rear end view of Fig. 4.

In the drawings similar reference-numerals designate like parts throughout the several views.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification, 1 designates the key-striking lever, which is provided with a saW-kerf 2, extending from the rear end forward to within a short distance of the front end and forming a flexible lower prong 3. This prong 3 is provided with a screw 4, extending from its lower surface up into the upper prong, and serves to keep the said flexible prong 3 in its normal position against the upper prong and also to prevent the said prongs from parting at the front end of the saw-kerf 2 when the lower prong is being forced. down by the adjusting-screw. The rear end of the flexible prong 3 carries a tip 5, which normally rests upon the key of the piano. This tip 5 is provided with a recess 6 in its lower surface, in which is inserted a piece of felt or other soft material, and a felt covering 7 extends over the entire rear and lower surfaces, thus affording a double padding at jaiepointwhere the tip contacts withthe piano- Projecting down through the upper prong of the lever 1, near the rear end thereof, is a screw 8, having its lower end impinging against the top surface of the lower prong 3, and serves to force the said prong 3 down for the purpose of adjusting the key-striking lever with relation to the keys of the piano.

The flexibility of the prong 3 will cause it to return to its normal position when the rear end is released from the pressure of the screw 8. The said key-striking lever is fulcrumed at 9 within the piano-player.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is 1. In a piano-player, a finger or playing-lever having a Presser-head consisting of a substantially semicylindrical cushion-faced block transversely secured to a spring, the opposite end of said spring-arm being connected by fastening devices to the under side of the finger at a distance from its end, and an adj usting-screw arranged through the end of the finger, and impinging upon the spring at the back of the head, substantially as shown and described.

2. In an automatic piano-player, a series of fingers or playing-levers each having a presser-head consisting of a substantially semicylindrical cushion faced block transversely secured to a spring, the opposite end of said spring-arm being connected by fastening devices to the under side of the finger at a distance from its end, and an adjustingscrew arranged through the spring at the back of the head, substantially as shown and described. t

3. In a piano-player, a finger or playing-lever having a presser-head consisting of a substantially semicylindrical cushion-faced block transversely secured to a spring, the opposite end of said spring-arm being connected by fastening devices to the under side of the finger at a distance from its end, and means for adjusting the said spring with relation to the finger, substantially as shown and described.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

FRANK P. SMITH.

lVitnesses:

CHAPIN A. FERGUsON, HENRY WATSON. 

